Exercise and video game chair

ABSTRACT

A video game chair for enhancing the enjoyment of a video game includes a chair member formed of a horizontal seat portion with a backrest portion vertically extending therefrom. This is a chair that utilizes arm movement, torso movement, leg movement and finger movement to control video games. The chair&#39;s movement is under resistance which is variable to suit the needs of the person playing the game. This resistance allows for a video gamer to benefit from extreme cardio and bodybuilding workouts while having their mind “in the game”. It is intended that this chair would be compatible with multiple video game consoles and computers

PREVIOUS FILING

This application emanates from a previously filed application Oct. 9,2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a uniquely designed chair that enhances thecomfort and experience of a video game player integrated in operationwith a video game chair whereas movement of the human body will controlthe video game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Home video game systems are more popular then ever. Modem technologicaladvancements in gaming systems have resulted in literally hundreds ofgames with unprecedented depth and detail. As these systems evolved, sohas the demographic profile of those who purchase and play them. Nolonger just for kids, these games appeal to children and adults alike.The price of the most popular gaming systems, such as Sony Playstation™,X-Box 360™ and Sega™ have fallen in recent times making them even morecommon. All of these facts have resulted in widespread use of such gamesand an increase in our sedentary lifestyle. The only exercise that onereceives while using these video game systems is to the finger areawhich is only a step above watching television. Accordingly, there is aneed for means by the playing of video games and physical activity canbe combined to provide not only entertainment but exercise as well. Thedevelopment of the present invention fulfills this need. The presentinvention comprises an apparatus that allows the control of a video gamesystem by the user performing actions or movements in a chair. Theinvention connects to commonly available video games by the use of amulti-adapter plug. The invention can be used by itself or with the useof a hand controller as well. The chair resembles a cross between anoffice chair and a weight bench. In this manner the user can activategame functions by pressing or moving chair arms and/or foot supports.Such movement would be governed by resistance mechanism and tension barsin much the same manner as resistance type weight machines.

Other game functions could be provided with conventional pushbuttonslocated at the end of the arms or the foot support mechanisms. It isenvisioned that the invention would work optimally with games that wouldsimulate the motion of an athlete such as boxing, skiing, basketball andthe like. Additionally, new software titles that would take advantage ofthe invention would be usable as well. The use of the present inventionprovides not only a new and unique method of playing video games, italso adds movement and exercise to a pastime that has been plagued bythe lack of physical activity

The prior art includes many varieties of exercise machines: exercycles,rowing machines, and weight-lifting machines found in fitness centers.None of these has a video game which is connected to the machine. Thereare a multitude of video games on the market which incorporate randomlygenerated targets to be “destroyed” by the operator by manipulation ofhand controls by the operator. The operation of these games is almosteffortless, with respect to the expenditure of physical energy by theoperator; there are none that can be employed to achieve an optimalaerobic level of physical exertion for cardiovascular conditioning.

There are also known various monitor game machines which simulate suchactivities as the flight of an airplane attacking enemy bombers, drivinga car at high speed through traffic or in a race or obstacle course, andthe like. These devices may employ a video unit comprised of a computer,program, and video screen. The cockpit or seat of the operator typicallywill tilt, rotate, or otherwise move in response to controls manipulatedby the operator. The object of these inventions is to provide realism tovideo games. Two such inventions are U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,470 Astroth,dated Jul. 24, 1984, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,407, Manabe, dated Oct. 23,1984. However, the prior art does not include a simulator which providesthe opportunity for strenuous exercise by the operator.

In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present inventionis to provide a lithium-ion battery which retains high safety whilehaving high capacity and high power.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes disadvantages of the prior art.

The present invention relates to a chair specifically designed toenhance the experience of a video game player. The device comprises achair member including a horizontal seat portion with a backrest portionvertically extending therefrom. Both the seat portion and backrestportion are preferably encapsulated with a padded foam material forenhanced comfort.

This is a chair that functions as a video game controller utilizingmovement of the human body to control the video game. Movement of thehuman body is under resistance when using this char to control the videogame, thus allowing for a form of entertaining physical exercise.

This invention replaces the common hand held controller used forcontrolling video game consoles. Various forms of controllers have beenmade to control video games. This chair is designed to replace themajority of the different styles from the following list: joystick,keyboard, hand held, etc.

This is a chair that utilizes arm movement, torso movement, leg movementand finger movement to control video games. The chair's movement isunder resistance which is variable to suit the needs of the personplaying the game. This resistance allows for a video gamer to benefitfrom extreme cardio and bodybuilding workouts while having their mind“in the game”. It is intended that this chair would be compatible withmultiple video game consoles and computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The advantages and features of the present invention will become betterunderstood 20 with reference to the following more detailed descriptionand claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in whichlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the exercise and video game chair10, according 25 to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;and,

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the exercise and video gamechair 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

-   exercise and video game chair handgrip-   handgrip sensor finger button foot sensor footpad-   leg waist flexure headrest cushion seat cushion back cushion torso    speaker-   43 electrical box-   44 sound jack-   45 multi-adapter plug-   46 power cord-   47 sound and control pad-   48 headrest speaker-   49 wiring-   50 input/data module-   51 audio module-   60 torso restraint-   80 game console

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes an apparatus and method for an exerciseand video game chair (herein described as the “apparatus”) 10, whichprovides a means for an exercise chair which interfaces with a videogame console 80 using a multi-adapter plug 45. In this manner the usercan activate game functions by pressing finger buttons 22, movinghandgrips 20, and pressing footpads 31. The user's movements are to begoverned by resistance mechanisms in much the same manner as resistancetype weight machines. It is envisioned that the invention 10 would workoptimally with games that would simulate the motion of an athlete suchas boxing, skiing, basketball and the like. The invention 10 provides asound system 51 with various controls 47 and can be either used as astand-alone exercise machine or used with the aforementioned gameconsole 80 interface.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a front perspective view of the apparatus 10,according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, isdisclosed. The apparatus 10 comprises a seat cushion 40, a back cushion41, a headrest cushion 39, a pair of handgrips 20, a pair of footsensors 30, a pair of footpads 31, four (4) legs 32, a waist flexure 33,and an electrical box 43.

The apparatus 10 provides a chair means similar to a typical officechair including a seat cushion 40, a back cushion 41, a headrest cushion39, and four (4) legs 32, and is envisioned to be made using standardmaterials such as ploy-foam filled cushions 39, 40, 41 and coveringsmade using materials such as cloth, leather, vinyl or the like. Theaforementioned chair sections 39, 40, 41 may be provided in a variety ofmaterials, styles, and designs and as such should not be interpreted asa limiting factor of the present invention 10.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a pair of headrest speakers 48located in the headrest cushion 39 and four (4) torso speakers 42, apair of each located on opposite sides of the back cushion 41. Thespeakers 42, 48 are envisioned to provide grills which are integral tothe back cushion covering 41 and are envisioned to provide variousspeaker types such as woofer, mid-range, tweeter, and the like, therebyaccurately reproducing the audio portion of the game or to broadcastmusic. The back cushion 41 further comprises a locking torso restraint60 similar to those used on roller coasters providing control of theshoulder and chest area of the user, thereby enabling both forward andbackward motion of the back cushion 41 via the waist flexure 33. Thewaist flexure 33 provides a flexible panel positioned between, andconnected to, the seat cushion 40 and the back cushion 41. The waistflexure 33 is envisioned to be made of a rugged and flexible materialsuch as fiberglass, plastic, urethane rubber, or the like, therebyproviding a resistance motion to enhance the exercise function. Thewaist flexure 33 is further envisioned to provide an electrical inputsignal to the electrical box 43 when flexed. The seat cushion 40provides an attachment means to four (4) legs 32 to stabilize andsupport the apparatus 10 during use.

The legs 32 are envisioned to be made using rugged materials such asmetal, wood, fiberglass, or the like and are designed to extend outwardfrom the center of the apparatus 10 forming a wide base, therebysupporting vigorous motions resulting from exercise and gaming activity.The legs 32 provide an attachment means to a sound and control pad 47, apair of hand sensors 21, and a pair of foot sensors 30.

The sound and control pad 47 is envisioned to provide a control meansincluding speaker volume control, game functions, and the like. Thesound and control pad 47 is envisioned to be located generally at atop-front location along a leg 32 being easily accessed by the userwhile actively engaged in a game or exercise activity. The sound andcontrol pad 47 is envisioned to be attached to said legs 32 either as anintegrally molded part or fastened thereto using screws, rivets, or thelike.

The handgrips 20 further comprise a pair of handgrip sensors 21 and apair of finger buttons 22. The handgrips 20 are envisioned to be similarto typical gaming grips common in the industry, thereby providing inputsignals to the game console 80 from a pair of integral handgrip sensors21 and a pair of finger buttons 22. The handgrips 20 are envisioned tobe made using flexible injection molded plastic parts, thereby providinga resistance motion to enhance the exercise function.

The footpads 31 further comprise a pair of foot sensors 30. The footpads31 are envisioned to function in a similar manner to the handgrips 20,thereby providing input signals via the foot sensors 30 to said gameconsole 80 as the user moves his/her feet. The footpads 31 areenvisioned to provide foot straps to secure the user's feet to said pads31. The footpads 31 are envisioned to be made using flexible injectionmolded plastic parts, thereby providing a resistance motion to enhancethe exercise function.

The electrical box 43 provides an enclosure means for a variety ofelectrical and electronic components required to operate the apparatus10. The electrical box 43 also comprises sound jacks 44, a power cord46, and a multi-adapter plug 45. The electrical box 43 is envisioned tobe a box shaped enclosure made using materials such as plastic, metal,or the like. The electrical box 43 is envisioned to be located under theseat cushion 40 being affixed thereto using screws, rivets, and thelike. The wiring 49 is envisioned to be routed internally within thelegs 32 and cushions 39, 40, 41 from said input devices and speakers 42,48.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of the apparatus 10,according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, isdisclosed. The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of input devices suchas a pair of handgrip sensors 21, a pair of finger buttons 22, a waistflexure 33, a pair of foot sensors 30, and a sound and control pad 47.Said input devices are to be connected internally to the electrical box43 via wiring 49 being routed to an input/data module 50 located thereinsaid electrical box 43. The apparatus 10 further comprises a pluralityof speakers 48, 42 being connected to an audio module 51 also containedwithin the electrical box enclosure 43 via wiring 49.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a 110-volt power cord 46, amulti-adapter plug 45 to communicate signal data to a game console 80,and a pair of sound jacks 44 enabling interface with the game consolesound system 80.

It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the presentinvention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the presentinvention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown anddescribed for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way oflimitation of scope.

2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by thecommon user in a simple and effortless manner with little or notraining. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus 10, itwould be installed as indicated in FIG. 1. The method of installing andutilizing the apparatus 10 may be achieved by performing the followingsteps: positioning the apparatus 10 in front of, and at a desireddistance, from a television; connecting the multi-adapter plug 45 intothe game console 80; routing and plugging speaker cables from the gameconsole 80 into the audio jacks 44 located thereon the electrical box43; plugging the 110-volt power cord 46 into an available electricaloutlet; activating the game console 80 and loading the desired game;making necessary adjustments and selections using the sound and controlpad 47 such as sound volume, game mode, and the like; initiating thegame sequence using the sound and control pad 47; and, enjoying theenhanced gaming and exercise experience while using the apparatus 10.

Another alternate embodiment of the present invention 10 comprises theaddition of a game console 80 built integrally into the apparatus 10perhaps being located adjacent to, or incorporated into the electricalbox 43 portion.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method for exercising and playing video gamesutilizing an exercise and video gaming chair.
 3. A chair for obtainingan optimal aerobic level of physical exertion for cardiovascularconditioning while playing video games comprising: a chair having a seatcushion and a back cushion; a waist flexure means coupled to the seatcushion and the back cushion wherein the waist flexure means providesuniversal joint functioning with tension rubber or spring resistance asthe back cushion is moved forward, backward or in any direction relativeto the seat cushion; and a video gaming consol coupled to the chairwhich connects to video games by the use of a multi-adapter plug adaptedto receive input signals from finger buttons, hand grips and foot padswhich activate game functions.